For most of the last century, condensed matter physics has been dominated by
band theory and Landau's symmetry breaking theory. In the last twenty years,
however, there has been the emergence of a new paradigm associated with
fractionalization, topological order, emergent gauge bosons and fermions, and
string condensation. These new physical concepts are so fundamental that they
may even influence our understanding of the origin of light and electrons in
the universe.

This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to the new concepts, as
well as quantum field theoretical methods in condensed matter physics. It
discusses many basic notions in theoretical physics that underlie physical
phenomena in nature, including a notion that unifies light and electrons.
Topics covered are dissipative quantum systems, boson condensation, symmetry
breaking and gapless excitations, phase transitions, Fermi liquids, spin
density wave states, Fermi and fractional statistics, quantum Hall effects,
topological/quantum order, spin liquids, and string condensation. Methods
discussed include the path integral, Green's functions, mean-field theory,
effective theory, renormalization group, bosonization in one- and higher
dimensions, non-linear sigma-model, quantum gauge theory, dualities,
slave-boson theory, and exactly soluble models beyond one dimensions. This
book is aimed at bringing students to the frontier of research in condensed
matter physics.